Back catalogue: Balearic/Downtempo

Review: Two years ago, Italy's Balearic Gabba Soundsystem switched from remixing and re-editing their favourite cuts to curating compilation style EPs of similarly minded fare. They're in that mode again here, presenting a trio of cuts that combine the saucer-eyed warmth and loved-up musicality of Balearic music culture with grooves and rhythms firmly focused on the dancefloor. They begin by showcasing Wallace's sublime remix of Sewell & The Gong's 'Better Worlds', a locked-in, hypnotising fusion of semi-organic deep house grooves, new age melodic motifs and the dreamiest of ambient chords. Over on the flip they dip into slo-mo Italo-disco/acid house fusion via SIRS fine revision of My Friend Dario's 'Tell Aro', before treating us to a Pedro Bertho remix of Verdo's 'Belvourdier' in which sparkling Balearic house piano riffs, undulating acid lines and mid-80s "chorus" synth sounds rise above a fluctuating synthesiser bassline and hustling beats.

Review: Hell Yeah is one of the best labels out there if you love grown-up house, delicious downtempo and nu-Balearic. Even amongst its unpredictable catalogue though this one is a wonderful curveball that has already been supported by Sean Johnston, Jaye Ward, Max Essa and Francois K. It is a debut album from the Italian Michele Mininni that makes for an involving and adventurous trip that blends broken beats, worldly rhythms, jazz, eastern melodies, live drums, and more into a thrilling 15-track opus, all with a leftfield perspective. A diverse array of rhythms, melodies, and instruments from around the globe all feature in this escapist summer delight.